“God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever.” – Thomas Jefferson

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He drove our rental van. My husband sat next to him in the front passenger seat, and I sat in the bucket seat behind hubby. The photo shows the view beside me. …our son’s carry ons for his deployment to the Middle East. Looking at it caused my heart to ache beyond words

We were on our way to the base where the rest of his squadron and their loved ones were also gathering to share departing expressions of love, and tears. I’ve seen similar scenes in news broadcasts but this time we were part of it. And my life has been different ever since.

Thank God for technology. We have been able to hear from him a few times. Short reports. But so much better than nothing. I cannot imagine the agony of sweethearts, wives and mothers who were separated from their beloveds during the Civil War or WW II, and would hear nothing of them for months at a time. Or years.

It’s only been nine days. But already, whenever I check my watch, my mind automatically calculates those nine and a half hours ahead to the time zone where our son is stationed. He’s asleep. He’s awake. He’s…………… It’s like that now. All the time.